Why You Need to Make Chocolate Chip Cookie Popcorn Bars

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How are you spending this Valentine’s day? We are planning a simple date-night at home. I will make my hubby a nice homemade meal and dessert so we can enjoy some time together over a nice meal. When it comes to desserts, I like them sweet, but I also like a little salty flavor thrown in. It’s so hard to choose just one flavor, so I combined them and made these chocolate chip cookie popcorn bars.

You heard me right! I combined sweet and savory so I can have my popcorn and cookies too! To create these bars, first I popped a bag of Orville Redenbacher®, which is my favorite for quality and taste. I chose the movie theater flavor to ensure it was extra salty and buttery, to balance the super sweet cookies and chocolate topping. You can find all your favorite Orville Redenbacher® popcorn at your local Walmart stores.

Once the popcorn was ready, I created a simple chocolate chip cookie bar recipe and baked the cookies until they were golden brown. Next, I layered marshmallows and popped the pan back in the oven, just until the marshmallows melted. While they were in the oven, I created the chocolate covered popcorn and added that on top of the melted marshmallows. As if that wasn’t enough ;), I decided to add a peanut butter chip and white chocolate chip drizzle on top.

Seriously, these are the most interesting and scrumptious bars! I had to stop myself from eating more than one. The popcorn crunch and savory flavor is such a unique surprise against the ultra-rich chocolate and cookie bottom. I’m really excited to share these sweet and savory treats with my hubby for our next date night. I know he will be intrigued by the unique take on incorporating popcorn into one of his favorite treats – cookies. I’m certain the sweet/savory combination in these chocolate chip cookie popcorn bars will be the perfect dessert ending to our date night.

What’s your favorite way to enjoy Orville Redenbacher® popcorn? You can find more recipes and party ideas here.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Popcorn Bars Recipe

Ingredients:

1 roll of chocolate chip cookie dough (or make the cookie bar recipe below)
1 10 oz bag Semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
3 cups Orville Redenbacher popcorn
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup Peanut butter chips

Directions:

While cookie is baking, mix corn syrup, butter and semi-sweet chocolate in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir until smooth and mixture is heated through. Remove from heat and stir in popcorn, coating it completely and evenly. Set aside. When the cookie bars are done baking, remove from oven and immediately sprinkle marshmallows evenly on top. Place back in the oven for 2-3 minutes until marshmallows are puffed, but not browned. Remove from oven and immediately spread the popcorn mixture on top of the marshmallows, pressing gently so the popcorn sticks into the marshmallows. In a microwave safe bowl, or zip-top bag, melt the white chocolate chips and peanut butter chips and drizzle over top. To ensure your chocolate melts well, you can add a tablespoon of vegetable oil to thin it out a bit. Let cool completely before cutting into squares.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Bar Base

Ingredients:

¾ cup butter, room temperature
1¼ cups brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
¾ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
2 cups flour
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°. Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray. Cream butter and brown sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Turn mixer to low and add in eggs and vanilla. Next, turn the mixer to medium until evenly incorporated. Once everything is incorporated, turn the mixer back down to low and add in baking soda, salt and flour. Mix until just combined. By hand, stir in 1 cup chocolate chips. Next, press dough evenly into prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes or until edges are golden.